London van incident: Pedestrians hit near Finsbury Park mosque

Just after midnight a van drove into pedestrians near a Muslim welfare organisation in the London suburb of Finsbury Park

One person has died, Metropolitan Police confirmed

Eight people have been taken to hospital, two treated at the scene

Two in hospital are in a 'very serious' condition

Police have launched a counter-terrorism investigation

London attack: one dead, eight injured

Police have launched a counter-terrorism investigation as a van incident leaves one person dead and eight injured in the north London suburb of Finsbury Park.

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11:03pm on 19 Jun 2017

PM May, Jeremy Corbyn visit mosque after attack

Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have visited Finsbury Park mosque to offer their support after the van attack.

It's now 2pm in London, about 14 hours after a van ploughed into a crowd of people. Ten people were injured, two seriously, and a man was found dead - however police have not confirmed if he died as a result of the incident or another medical condition.

As the country's leaders speak to the victims' friends and family members in north London, celebrities have blamed tabloid newspapers for causing the incident, which police are treating as an act of terrorism.

British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives near the scene where a van struck pedestrians. Photo: AP

9:21pm on 19 Jun 2017

Attack 'sickening': Theresa May

Prime Minister Theresa May has said hatred and evil will never succeed, as she spoke to the media after the van attack.

"This morning, our country woke to news of another terrorist attack on the streets of our capital city: the second this month and every bit as sickening as those which have come before," she said outside 10 Downing Street.

"It was an attack that once again targeted the ordinary and the innocent going about their daily lives, this time British Muslims as they left a mosque after prayers."

Mrs May said extra police resources will be deployed to provide reassurance.

She said Britain had been far too tolerant of all forms of extremism in the past.

Imam 'told witnesses to stop attacking van driver'

We're hearing more now about the Imam who stepped in to stop the van driver being attacked.

Two witnesses who spoke to the BBC said angry men were shouting at the driver and trying to hit him as "pandemonium" unfolded.

"The driver was dragged out of the car and pinned to the floor and people were hitting him and punching him ... they were angry with his actions," one witness said.

"The Imam actually came out of the mosque and said 'do not hit him, pin him down and call the police which is the right thing to do'. He's given us good words of advice."

In a statement, the chief executive Muslim Welfare House - which is near the scene of the attack - praised an Imam called Mohammed Mahmoud who "showed bravery and courage" and "helped calm the immediate situation after the incident".

6:09pm on 19 Jun 2017

Two victims in 'very serious' condition

The NHS is expected to release an update on the condition of the victims soon.

However, speaking a little while ago, Neil Basu - Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police - said some are in a serious condition.

"I do note at least two are very serious, so again our thoughts go out to their families and friends, who must be very shaken," he said.

The "priority" for police will be to interview the van driver, which will happen as soon as he has gone through the formal custody process.

6:03pm on 19 Jun 2017

Van driver arrested 'over suspicion of attempted murder'

The 48-year-old man accused of driving the van has been arrested over suspicion of attempted murder, police say.

Neil Basu has thanked the people who worked with police, to help them calmly take the driver away.

"I would like to thank those people who worked with police to detain the man, and worked with officers to calmly and quickly get him into our custody," Mr Basu said.

"Their restraint in the circumstances is commendable, by members of the community who must have been incredibly shaken, incredibly scared, and incredibly angry."

He said the van used in the attack was examined, but nothing was found that would cause concern to the public.

Extra policing resources have been deployed across London to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan.

Mr Basu called on Londoners to remain calm and vigilant.

"This has been an incredible challenging time for London and the emergency services are stretched," he said. "Nevertheless, we will all do absolutely everything we can with our partners to protect London.

"Now is the time, once again, for London to stand together to face those who seek to divide us."

A police officer talks to Finsbury Park locals near the scene where a van hit pedestrians. Photo: APBack to top

5:50pm on 19 Jun 2017

Police at the scene 'instantly'

Neil Basu from the Metropolitan Police says officers were on the scene "instantly", despite reports from witnesses that a police response took up to half an hour.

"From 21 minutes past midnight this morning, police received a number of calls to Seven Sisters Road following a van having collided with pedestrians," he said.

"Officers were in the immediate vicinity at the time, actually as the attack unfolded, and they responded instantly. Additional officers were on the scene within ten minutes."

Mr Basu said one man was pronounced dead at the scene, eight were taken to hospital, and two did not require hospitalisation for their injuries.

"All the victims were from the Muslim community," he said.

He praised members of the community for coming to the aid of injured victims, as well as holding down the suspect before his arrest.

Police inspect a hired van near Seven Sisters Road, where one man died in what police are treating as a terrorist attack. Photo: Getty Images

5:42pm on 19 Jun 2017

'This was an attack on London'

Neil Basu, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, has just given an update on the investigation.

Speaking at New Scotland Yard, the counter-terrorism co-ordinator confirmed the person who died in the attack was a man who had collapsed on the footpath before the van hit.

"The attack unfolded while a man was already receiving first aid from the public at the scene, and sadly that man has died," Mr Basu said.

"Any causative link between his death and the attack will form part of our investigation. It is too early to state if his death was as a result of this attack."

Mr Basu said the thoughts of police were with everyone injured in the attack, as well as their friends, families and their wider community.

"This is being treated as a terrorist attack, and the counter-terrorism command is investigating," he said. "This was an attack on London and all Londoners, and we should all stand together against extremists, whatever their cause."

The scene at Finsbury Park where the attack unfolded. Photo: AP

5:07pm on 19 Jun 2017

No other suspects sought, police say

Police say they are not seeking anyone else over the van attack, despite some witness reports that three men were in the van that ploughed into a crowd of people.

"At this early stage there are no other suspects, however the investigation continues," Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Re #SevenSisters Rd #Finsburypark incident - At this early stage there are no other suspects, however the investigation continues.

Home secretary calls for unity

Home Secretary Amber Rudd, whose portfolio includes national security matters, released the following statement:

My thoughts are with all those affected by the appalling incident at Finsbury Park. I am in contact with the Metropolitan Police who have confirmed it is being investigated by their Counter Terrorism Command.

Yesterday, like so many others around the country, I took part in the Great Get Together to celebrate the values of Jo Cox. It was powerful and moving to see the community come together in a show of solidarity.

We must all continue to stand together, resolute, against all those who try to divide us and spread hate and fear.

2:45pm on 19 Jun 2017

London mayor declares attack 'horrific' terrorism

"We don't yet know the full details, but this was clearly a deliberate attack on innocent Londoners, many of whom were finishing prayers during the holy month of Ramadan," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement on social media.

"While this appears to be an attack on a particular community, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect."

'We expected it': Muslim youth leader

"They're not just small attacks we're talking about, from verbal abuse to real attacks on individuals and attacks on mosques, which have been taken as retaliation in a sense from after other attacks that we've seen, whether that's been in Manchester or London."

Local people observe prayers at Finsbury Park after a vehicle struck pedestrians. Photo: PABack to top

2:20pm on 19 Jun 2017

Potential terrorist attack: May

British Prime Minister Theresa May said police had labelled the Finsbury Park incident as a possible terrorist attack.

"I will chair an emergency meeting later this morning," Ms May said. "All my thoughts are with the victims, their families and the emergency services on the scene."

2:15pm on 19 Jun 2017

Man arrested to undergo mental health check

The Metropolitan Police said a 48-year-old man arrested in connection with the attack had been taken to hospital "as a precaution". His mental health will be assessed. He will then be taken into custody.

No other suspects have been detained or reported, police said.

2:00pm on 19 Jun 2017

Eight people taken to hospital

Deputy director of operations with the London Ambulance Service, Kevin Bate, said eight patients had been taken to three hospitals.

More than 60 medics responded to the incident near a Muslim welfare organisation.

1:58pm on 19 Jun 2017

One person killed

The Metropolitan Police in London have confirmed one person has died after a van struck pedestrians on Seven Sisters Road in Finsbury Park.